PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The City of Beaumont has big plans to improve public transportation.
Officials say more buses and routes are needed to keep up with the growing number of riders. They say these improvements won't cost taxpayers a dime.
The city is applying for a $3 million grant to pay for upgrades and new buses.
"A couple of more buses would be beneficial," said Beaumont bus rider Shawn Semien.
For riders like Semien, Beaumont ZIP buses get him where he needs to go.
"If I didn't have a bus route today I don't know how I would get to my doctor's office," he said.
Semien isn't the only passenger waiting to catch a ride.
Since 2022 the number of Beaumont ZIP riders has grown by 40%, according to Beaumont Planning Manager for Community Development Demi Engman.
"Highway 105, North Major, that is a highly booming area. So what we're trying to do is get transit services out there," Engman said.
Engman says where College Street meets Major Drive and the Parkdale Mall stops are the end of the line for bus routes.
The city is hoping to receive $3.3 million in federal grants to make major improvements.
"With the two new vans we would get, we would have a circulator go out there called the 105 link. It will go from Highway 105, up Tram, over to Old Voth, and then back down, and also circulating around Northwest Parkway," Engman said.
This is just one of four major projects the city wants to do, including adding shelters to 60 popular stops. There are 1,200 bus stops currently around the city.
"Those shelters will include a roof, a bench, the second is to re-roof transit headquarters, the third is to modernize our fixed route fare collection to implement credit cards," Engman told 12News.
Semien thinks more amenities for riders will make for an overall better experience.
"To have places to sit down, and when it's raining and stuff the overhead protection is good," he said.
The city expects to find out whether they will receive the grant by Fall 2024.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.